Thanks a lot, it wouldnt have been possible without the support we've had from everyone back home.
I know it sounds corny, but I couldnt be more sincere, but this win is for EVERYONE back home.
Its unbelievable the support we've had, I've never seen it before nor was it expected.
A very special thanks goes to Sean Gallagher, Vicki Jewson, Wayne and Sussy.
they dont want me to say anything, but they put their hands in their pocket and gave cash for us to make this trip. Its cool when big organizations do it, but when ordinary people with their own set of issues do it, well its a most humbling experience.
Bluegum, ABC, Australian Kettlebells all donated cash and goods. I hope they get good value for their investment.
So many people here want PTC hoodies and shirts, if I'd known they would be this popular I would have taken some with us.
A nice guy from Michigan, Art, was blown away that Max lifted without a belt, he said he's never seen that before. He's an equipped lifter and he has a team up here lifting raw. He congratulated Max on not only winning a world title, but doing it in the truest essence of raw, he kept shaking his head and mumbling no belt.
We have made sooooooooooo many friends here. Everyone knows the Aussies. We have been really well recieved.
I spent an hour in the foyer talking to lifter named John, an absolute unit, he was in disbelief that Max was 18. He said the reason people think he is much older is because of the way he carries himself. This guy was the MC, he is every bit as good as Adam was at our Nats. He really talked Max up when he lifted.
the no belt thing really gets people talking, its not something they've ever seen before going by there reaction. Sitting in the crowd I hear things like "he's forgotten his belt" lol.
I have been in deep conversation with lifters that have far more credibility and lifting experience than me. I ask whether the reason everyone wears a belt is that they have someone stronger than them wearing one, and they reply yes.
So obviously all the guys that lost to a kid without a belt should follow his lead using there own logic. They see my point, and rather than disrespect the fact he wears no belt, they think its a tremendous thing, and to go on and WIN, well thats icing.
I have been seriously worried about Max's lifting today, but I said nothing. His workout at Golds was ordinary, his eating and energy levels were ordinary.
the timing of the event was unbelievably poor from our end in Australia. A 15 hour flight and 15 hour drive were killers. Most here were stunned at our commitment, with the guy Max beat living right here in Idaho Falls.
the one thing I was confident about was his squat, I knew his bench and dead would be below the Nats, he hadnt trained them for 3 weeks. Max thrives on training, not competing.
He was also worried, so he dropped his squat opener from 165 to 160. It flew up, so he took 170, easy, but we then went conservative, a 172.5 squat gave us a 5kg lead. Max wouldve made 180kg today, no question, I'm a very good judge, he couldve got it on a 4th attempt and a PB, but we were at a World Championships, not a garage.
Going into the bench, Max had a 5kg lead. He was struggling with grip width, he didnt get one right. His 105 opener was hard, hands too close, 107.5 was easier, hands a touch wider, his 110 stalled very high for Max, his strength, he missed the lift.
This was where I knew he was stuffed. No way does he EVER miss a bench that high. We had no breakfast before lifting, just Gatorade, Muscle Milk and water. He didnt feel like eating. After his 110kg miss, I knew he was out of steam.
We went into the deadlift with Max 5kg ahead. Sean was starting with 185kg, but I knew that was a stupidly easy lift for him. Max was going to have to win on his opener, no question, I've seen him lift long enough to know when he's done.
He made a very difficult 210kg lift. He had nothing more left, I knew it, he didnt. He asked for 220kg for a second, I MADE him go back and change it to 215kg, which I knew he had little chance of making. He only pulled it to above his knees. It was 2.30pm now, and he had no food in him or energy.
that 210kg opener was enough to clinch the Gold by 5kg. we had to be smart today and check the ego at the door. He may never get the oppurtunity to lift at another WC, today had to be about winning, not numbers. Max understood totally and lifted as well as he couldve under the conditions. This was his 4th comp in 4 1/2 months, thats insane.
He is beat up, and he knows it. Its the culmination of his first Powerlifting season, he needs to go out into a nice meadow and just graze for awhile, he has earned it.
Max will possibly be in the 90kg class next time he competes. He has another 20 months in this age group, all his competion is a year older, the guys at the Nats and the Worlds. He could really put up some good numbers by training at 82kg for a year and set some nice records, but thinking long term, its clear too see that he is too tall for his height, the strongest guys around here are much shorter than him.
As far as being proud of him, all I've heard since he won when I give him shit is
JUST LET ME GET MY GOLD MEDAL
I may just leave him behind, with his f u c k i n g gold medal
